Block stowage means for derricks



Sept. 1, 1959 Filed Oct. 8, 1956 R- J. STODDARD ET AL 2,902,177

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Sept. 1, 1959 R. J. STODDARD ETAL BLOCK STOWAGE MEANS FOR DERRICKS Filed Oct. 8, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 3 PIE. 5

INVENTORS. Rosear I Snwpaka y Anal/ER N. BROWN HARRY Z BRA 77' 63W wiawqg United States Patent Of 1 9 ,171 BLOCK sTowAon MEANS FOR ,DERRICKS Robert J. Stoddard, St. Paul, Archer W. Brown, -Minneapolis, and Harry T. Bratt, St. Paul, Minn., a'ssignors to American Hoist & Derrick Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application October 8, 1956, Serial 614,745 6 Claims. Cl. 212-58) termediate and upper sheaves, respectively, on the boom of the derrick. It is not unusual 'to provide a .derrick,

with a main'fall or load block weighing as much as ten tons, to have a lifting capacity as great as 250 tons. And, too, auxiliary blocks of derricks may bequite massive and heavy. Inasmuch as heavy blocks suspendedon the booms of derricks are swung through considerable arcs, as the booms are swlung between minimum radius: position and maximum radius position and laterallypand are liable to, and have been known to, strike and. knock to pieces the booms, it is common practice either to lash heavy-"block's, when not supporting loads, to the booms, or'to run them up and support them in adjacent relation to the sheaves over which their cables are ridalble. Lash ing the blocks is an unsatisfactory procedure because requiring the expenditure of time and labor. Suspending the blocks at their highestpo'ssible positions, where adjacent to the boom, does not prevent their swinging, and

possibly striking a boom, for the reason that the sheaves on a boom upon which block suspending cables are rida-ble move closer to the operating drumsas the boom is swung toward minimum radius position and farther away from said'operating drurn as the boom is swung toward maximum radius position. In short, out of use blocks suspended from a Iboom are required to be-in sufliciently spaced relation to the :boom to be free to have downward and upward movement relative thereto occasioned by reason of swinging of the boom between minimum radius and maximum radius positions.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a derrick equipped with new and improved devices for the stowage of blocks on the booms of derricks in novel and improved manner. I

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, I

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a derrick equipped with block stowage means incorporating the features and characteristics of the invention;

Fig, 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a main fall or load block of the derrick and parts associated therewith;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a boom of the derrick and block stowage means made according to the invention supported upon said boom; Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevational View of a first device constituting means for stowage'of a main fall or load block of the derrick upon the boom thereof;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, taken on line 5'-5 in Fig. 4;

Patented Sept. 1, 1959 ice 2 Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on line 6-6 in Fig.;' 4;. Y r

Fig. 7 is an enlargedside elevational view, partially broken away, of a second device constituting means for stowage of an auxiliary lalockof the derrick upon the boom thereof;

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding generally with the disclosure of Fig. 7 showing parts in different positions; and

Fig. 9 is a front'elevational view of the disclosureof Fig. 7. Y

A'derrick body110 is mounted upon a barge 11 in the disclosure as made, and a turntable 12 is supported upon the derrick body to be rotatable in a horizontal plane in a manner which-as such forms no part of the present invention.

A boom 13 is rotatably mounted, as at 14, upon the turntable 12 for rotative movement between maximum and minimum radius positions and a mast upon the turntable is denoted 15.. The boom 13 and the mast 15 can ibe of ordinary or preferrediconstruction.

Operating drums onlthe turntable, represented 16,

17,118 and 19, respectively,can be driven and controlled drum 16 in'opposite direction will cause said boom to be.

swung toward minimum radius position.

The operating drums 17', 18'and 19 support cables, indicated 22, 23'and 24,"respectively, which ridesheaves on the mast and innermost, intermediate and outermost sheaves, denoted 25," 26fland 2,7 respectively, n the boom and supporta'rnainfall orload'block, an auxiliary block and a whip block, designated 28, 29 and 30,'re-,

spective'ly, suspended from the boom. As disclosed, the sheavesZl are at a location below the innermost sheaves 25, the intermediate sheaves 26 are at a location along the length of the boornwhere an upper portion 31 thereof, inangula'r relation to a straight body portion of said boom, meets said straight body portion, andthe outermost sheaves 27 are. mounted on said upper portion of the'boom. I f v In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings'there is disclosed a first device 32 constituting means for st owage of the main fall'or lo'ad block 28, and inFig. 1 and 3 said first stowage device is shown as when secured upon the straight 'body portion of the boom 13, at a location below and in adjacent relation to'the innermost sheaves 2 5.

V wardly toliel'substantiallyin paI aIlelreIation to the boom,

'InFigs. 7, 8 and 9 there is disclosed a second device 33 constituting means for stowage of the auxiliary block 29, and in Figs. 1 and 3 said second stow-age device is shown as when secured upon the upper portion'3l of the boom 13, at a location above and in adjacent relation to the intermediate sheaves 26. t

The first stowage device 32' is constituted as a frame providing a pocket, open at itsupper end, for receiving duplicate elongated side bars 34 upon and extending exteriorly from parallel, oppositely disposed side. plates 35 of the main fall or load block 28; The cable 22 maintains said main fallorjload block inthe vertical plane of the .boom 13 and also'rnaintains'the widths of said oppositely disposed side plates in parallel relationto aver- 'tical plane passed centrally through the first stowage device, 32 and the mainlfall''orload block. The elongated side bars-34 are oninner'edgeportions'of the oppositely disposed side plates 35 andextend downwardly and {in- 13.when in-minimumradius position. Also, said elongated side bars are in the same horizontal plane, as Well as in a single planepassedthroughthe main fall or load block in perpendicular relation to said oppositely disposed side plates, Atwin hook 36 is rotatably supported upon and extends downwardly from said main fall or load block.

The frame of the first stowage device 32 includes a flat plate 37 secured up against an outer surface of the boom 13; right and left, oppositely disposed, longitudinally ex tending channel pieces, each represented 38, secured to and against the flat plate 37, and a horizontal angle bar havingan inner arm 39"thereof'secured up against said flat plate and an outer arml40 thereof spanning the distance between and engaged up against the lower ends of the channel pieces 38. Each of the right and left channel pieces 38 includes a body member and spaced, interiorly extending inner and outer flanges, indicated 41 and 42, respectively, providing a longitudinal slot 43 bounded at the exterior thereof by said body member, at the opposite sides thereof by said inner and outer flanges and at the bottom thereof by the arm40. The upper end portion of the body member of' each channel piece 38'is flared exteriorly, and the upper portions of the inner and outer flanges of each channel piece are, respectively, flared inwardly and outwardly. Together, the oppositely disposed channel pieces 38 and the horizontal angle bar pro vide a pocket having an enlarged open upper end for re ception of the elongated side bars 34 on the oppositely disposed side plates 35 ofthe main fall or. load block 28 and bounded at the opposite sides thereof by thebody members of the channel pieces 38, at the front and rear thereof by the outer and inner flanges of saidchannel pieces and at the bottom thereofby the outer arm 40 of said horizontal angle bar. The inner and outer flanges 41 and 42 of the channelmembers- 38 desirably will be spaced apart a distance greater than a measurement repre; senting the thickness of each elongated sidebar 34 80 that the longitudinal slots 43, in facing relation to each other, will loosely, slidably receive said elongated side bars. Downward movement of said elongated side bars will belimited by their engagement withthe outer, arm 40 of the horizontal angle bar.

The main fall or load block 28 .is to be depositedinto the pocket ofthe first stowage device 32 by swinging the boom 13 to minimum radius position, elevating said main fall or load block to position where its elongated side bars 34 are above and in alined relation to the longitudinal slots43 and lowering said main fall or load block to cause said elongated sidebars to enter said longitudinal slots, as disclosed in Figs. 3 and;6 of the drawings. sirably, the mainfall or. load block 28 can be supported under tension by the cable 22, with the elongated side bars 34 in contiguous relation to the arm 49 of the horizontal angle bar, when the boom 13 is at minimum radius position and the main fall or load block is at corresponding low elevation. The elongated side bars 34 will be caused to slide upwardly in the longitudinal slots 43 in response to movement of the boom toward maximum radius position and permitted to slide downwardly in said longitudinal slots in response to movement of said boom toward minimum radius position. The construction and arrangement will be such that whenthe boom is at maximumradius position and the main fall or load block is at corresponding high elevation, saidelongated sidebars yet will be situated in said longitudinal slots.

The second stowage device 33 includes hook members, each denoted 44, rotatably mounted upon and extending downwardly from a transverse shaft 45 mounted in the boom, 13 and rotatably. supporting the, intermediate sheaves 26, having inwardly extending, upwardly facing hooks, each represented 146,.at their lower ends for receiving oppositeend portions 47 of a transverse rod 48 fixed in the upper ends of duplicate triangular flat side pieces 49: extending upwardly. from. parallel, oppositelyv disposed side plates 50 of the auxiliary block 29. The opposite end portions 47 of the transverse rod 48 are situated exteriorly of the triangular flat side pieces 49 in the vertical planes of the hook members 44, respectively. The cable 23 maintains saidauxiliary block in the verticalv plane of; the boom 13and alsornaintains the opposite end portions 47 of the transverse rod 48 in the vertical planes of the widths of the hook members 44, respectively.

Cylinders 51 of the second stowage device 33 .are rigidly secured, as at 52, to an under surface of the upper portion-31 of the boom tolie in parallel relation to said upper portion and in alined relation to the hook members 44, respectively, longitudinally of said boom upper portion. Pistons 53 longitudinally slidable in the cylinders 51, respectively, are rigid with piston rods 54 whichpass through the inner ends of the cylinders, respectively, and

have their lower ends pivotally secured; as at 55, to intermediate portions of the hook members 44, respectively.

Inlet connections 56 lead into the opposite ends ofeach, cylinder 51 from sources (not shown) of fluid under pressure, and, exhaust connections lead from saidcylinders.

The construction. and arrangement will be such that cylinders, 51, the right. ends in Figs. 7' and 8, the hook members 44" will be' out of vertical alinement with and clear of the opposite end portions- 47 of the transverse rod 46, as in said Fig. 7, and when said pistons are adjacent the inner ends of said cylinders, the left ends in Figs. 7 and 8, said hook members will be in vertical alinement with said transverse rod, as in said Fig. 8.

Theauxiliary block 29 is to be suspended from the boom 13 by swinging said boom to minimum radius posi tion, situating the hook members 44 clear of the transverse rod 48 and its opposite end portions 47, as in Fig. 7, elevating said auxiliary block to position where the transverse rod and its opposite end positions where the transverse rod and its opposite end portions are above the elevation of the hooks 46 of said hook members, situating the hook members in vertical alinement with said transverse rod and its opposite end portions and lowering the auxiliary block to seat the opposite end portion of the transverse rods upon andin said hooks, as in Fig. 8. Fluid under pressure will;be employed in a well known manner selectively to situate and maintain the pistons 53 in either the outer or inner end portions of the cylinders 51. The cable 23 will be slack When the auxiliary block is supported upon the hook members. The magnitude of the slack will be increased with swinging movement of the boom toward minimum radius position and decreased with swinging movement of said boom toward maximum radius position. The hook members 44 will support'the whole ofthe weight of the auxiliary block when the opposite end portions of the transverse rod are seated upon and in the hooks 46.

Although the first stowage device 32 provides a pocket upon the boom as the instrumentality for stowing the main fall or load block 28 and the second stowage device 33 provides hook members as the instrumentality for stowing the auxiliary block 29, said first and second stowage devices obviously have features in common. The manner of depositing the main fall or load block into its stowing instrumentality is substantially the same as the manner of depositing the auxiliary block upon its stowing instrumentality. Evidently, either of the stowage devices can be employed tostow blocks of derricks other than main fall or load and auxiliary blocks as herein illustrated and described.-

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a boom pivotally supported for swinging movement between minimum and maximum radius positions, a cable upon said boom, a block supported by a portion of said cable suspended from the upper end for receiving the, block, the. cable andboom being cooperatively operablet'o situ'atesaid block .at'a' position where above and in vertical alinement with said pocket, said cable being operable to permit the'block to be lowered by gravity to a position where stowage insaid'" pocket, and said boom being operable toward minimum and maximum radius positions,re eeuvei to permit said block to be'moved downwardly by gravity and to cause the block tobe movedupwardlyin the pocket. 1

2. In combination,. a,boom"pivotally:supported ifor swinging movement between minimum and maximum radius positions, a cable upon said boom, a block supported by a portion of said cable suspended from the boom for upward and downward vertical movement relative to said boom, and a device upon the boom for stowing said block providing a pocket having an open upper end for receiving the block, the cable and boom being cooperatively operable, by shortening the portion of said cable supporting said block to elevate the block and swinging said boom toward minimum radius position, to situate said block at a position where above and in vertical alinement with said pocket, said cable being operable, by lengthening of said portion of the cable sup porting the block, to permit said block to be lowered by gravity to a position where stowed in said pocket, and said boom being operable to permit said block to be moved downwardly by gravity in the pocket in response to swinging movement of the boom toward minimum radius position and to cause the block to be moved upwardly in the pocket in response to swinging movement of said boom toward maximum radius position.

3. In combination, a boom pivotally supported for swinging movement between minimum and maximum radius positions, a cable upon said boom, a block supported by a portion of said cable suspended from the boom for upward and downward vertical movement relative to said boom, outwardly projecting means upon and at the opposite sides, respectively, of said block in alined relation transversely of the boom, and a device upon the boom for stowing said block providing a pocket having an open upper end for receiving the block and including oppositely disposed channel pieces providing longitudinal slots in facing relation to each other for slidably receiving said outwardly projecting means, respectively, the cable and boom being cooperatively operable to situate said block and outwardly projecting means at a position where above and in vertical alinement with said pocket and longitudinal slots, said cable being operable to permit the block to be lowered by gravity to a position where stowed in said pocket with said outwardly projecting means situated in said longitudinal slots, respectively, and said boom being operable toward minimum and maximum radius positions, respectively, to permit the outwardly projecting means to slide downwardly by gravity in said longitudinal slots and to cause said outwardly projecting means to he slid upwardly in the longitudinal slots.

4. In combination, a boom pivotally supported for swinging movement between minimum and maximum radius positions, a cable upon said boom, a block supported by a portion of said cable suspended from the boom for upward and downward vertical movement relative to said boom, elongated elements upon and at opposite sides, respectively, of said block in alined relation transversely of the boom, and a device upon the boom for stowing said block providing a pocket having an open upper end for receiving the block and including oppositely disposed channel elements providing longitudinal slots in facing relation to each other for slidably receiving said elongated elements, respectively, the cable and boom being cooperatively operable, by shortening the portion of said cable supporting said block to elevate the response to swinging movement of the boom toward maxiblock and swinging said boom toward minimum radius position, to situate sa'id' blo k and elongated elements at a"positfion' where above and linyertical alinement with said poeket and longitudinal'slots, sald cable being operable, by lengthening of saidi'portion of the cable supporting the block,'to permit the block to be loweredby gravity to a position where stowed in said pocket with said elongated elements situated in said longitudinal slots, respectively,l and said boom being operable to permit .said block to be moved downwardly'by gravity in said pocket and the elongatedelements to slide in said longitudinal slots in response to swinging movement of the f boom toward minimum radius position. and to cause the block to'be moved upwardly in 'the'pocket' and said elongated elements to be slid in the longitudinal slots in mum radius position.

5. In combination, a boom pivotally supported for swinging movement between minimum and maximum radius positions, a cable upon said boom, a block supported by a portion of said cable suspended from the boom for upward and downward vertical movement relative to said boom, a device upon the boom for stowing said block including a hook member for supporting the block, means for rendering the cable and boom cooperatively operable to situate a portion of the block at a position where above and in vertical alinement with said hook member and said cable operable to permit the block to be lowered by gravity to position where stowed upon said hook member and supported by said boom, there being slack in the cable of increasing and decreasing magnitude with swinging movement of the boom toward minimum and maximum positions, respectively, and means operable to position the hook member clear of said block when to be elevated to situate a portion thereof above said hook member and to position the hook member in vertical alinement with the block when said block is to be stowed upon said hook member and supported by the boom, said hook member being pivotally supported upon said boom to extend downwardly therefrom, and said means being constituted as a cylinder upon the boom, a piston in said cylinder and a connecting rod upon said piston and pivotally attached to an intermediate portion of said hook member actuable in response to movement of the piston in one direction in the cylinder to position the hook member clear of the block and to movement of said piston in opposite direction in said cylinder to position said hook member in vertical alinement with said block.

6. In combination, a boom pivotally supported for swinging movement between minimum and maximum radius positions, a cable upon said boom, a block supported by a portion of said cable suspended from the boom for upward and downward vertical movement relative to said boom, outwardly projecting means upon and at the opposite sides, respectively, of said block in alined relation transversely of the boom, a device upon the boom for stowing said block including hook members for supporting said outwardly projecting means, means for rendering the cable and boom cooperatively operable, by shortening the portion of said cable supporting said block to elevate the block and swinging said boom toward minimum radius position, to situate said outwardly projecting means at a position where above and in vertical alinement with said hook member and said cable operable, by lengthening of said portion of the cable supporting the block, to permit the block to be lowered by gravity to position where said outwardly projecting means are stowed upon said hook members, respectively, and said block is supported by said boom, swinging movement of said boom between minimum and maximum radius positions causing slack of increasing and decreasing magnitude to exist in the portion of said cable supporting said block with swinging movement of the boom toward minimum and maximum radius positions, respectively, and means gfirrahle to position the hookimembers, clear of saidbiock andits outwardly rojecting m'eans when to beelevatedto.

sitiiate said; ont wardly projecting means at afpositior;

where above saidfhook members and to position the extendndownwardlytherefrom, and saidjmeans operable,

to position the, hookfmembers, clear of and in vertical alinemntfwith. the block and its outwardly projecting meansbeing constituted as spaced, parallelcylinders upon theboom, Pistons in said, cylinders, respectively, and connecting rods, upon said" istons, respectively, 7 and pivotally attacheduto intermediate portions: of said, hook members,

V 8" respectively, actuable inl response to movement of the pistons in one 'dii'eetionin the cylinders to position the. hookmer'nbe'rsgclear oflthe blo'ck andiits outwardly projecting n eans and to movement of 'said'pistons in opposite direction. in. saidcylinders to, position said'hook: members intv verticalfalinernent" with said outwardly projecting means.

References Citedin thefile ofthis patent UNITED :STATES, PATENTS 808,990 Knox et a1. Jan. 2, 190s- 1,856,082 Rernde May a, 1932 1 898 810 Bergmann Feb. 21, 1933 

